Establishing Our Course
--a Note from Father Erv on St. Paul's CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT on Saturday, September 23.
One of the symbols of the Church is a ship sailing through stormy seas. It is a particularly cogent symbol since Jesus and his disciples were frequently on the Sea of Galilee traveling from one side to another. Interestingly enough, as I recall, the disciples came to realize early on that Jesus was the captain of the ship. They went where he wanted to go. When they were afraid of the storms they encountered they turned to Jesus. His presence in the boat not only determined where they were going but also gave them comfort and assurance.
Every congregation in the church is a ship at sea. St. Paul’s is no exception. As a downtown church, we find ourselves struggling with the high winds and threatening waves about the future, finances, declining membership, and the concerns about the course we are to take from here on.
We need to get our bearings; and that is why it is essential that we be present this coming Saturday, September 23rd, in Guild Hall, for our congregational retreat.
Father Aaron Gerlach will lead us in considering the five marks of mission for the church. This retreat is intended to help us develop a clear focus on who we are and what are about at this time and place. This, in turn, will assist the search committee, once they are appointed and start the process, in determining what qualifications we are looking for in our next rector.
The retreat starts at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
See you there!
Father Erv
General Announcements
Our Postulant,
Troy Dunn
, will preach on Sunday, September 24th.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Sunday After worship
Adult Forum: Lectionary Overview of Old Testament Stories.
Wednesday morning Book Study
. Please join us on Wednesdays at 10:00am. The book being discussed is,
“A Case for Faith.”
Wednesday Evening, September 27, at 6:30pm.
We continue our Bible Study on the life of Exodus hero, Moses.
The Choir
rehearses on
Thursdays at 7pm
. You are welcome to join us.
The Prayer Office of
Evensong
is offered every
Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Consider ending your work week with this time of song, prayer, scripture and the life of one of our heroes of the faith.
The new officers of the Daughters of the King (DOK) have assumed their duties. They are: Linda Kendrick, president; Beth Paynter, vice-president; Susan Phillips, secretary; Marcia Enslen, treasurer. The
DOK
will host the fall gathering of the chapters of the Diocese of Cleveland on
Saturday, October 28, 2017 here at St. Paul’s
.
Participants in the Liturgy Sunday, September 24
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Celebrant/Preacher: The Reverend Dr. Erwin M. Smuda
Sermon: Postulant, Troy Dunn
Organist/Choir Master: William Kendrick
Eucharistic Ministers: Karl K. Roshong, Brenda Maurer-Denning
Lectors: Bill Kendrick, M.L. Schultze
Ushers: Larry & Vicki Simpkins
Greeters: Rick & Barb Anderson
Oblationers: Rick & Barb Anderson
Acolytes: Greg Johanning (C), Deb Shamlin (A),
Karl K. Roshong (T)
Healer: Sally Davis
Altar Guild: Susan Phillips
Weekly Cleaning: Linda Kendrick
Closers/Counters: M.L. Schultze, Susan Phillips
Readings for Sunday
Exodus 16:2-15
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-6
Psalm 105:1-6,37-45
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
